august Featured Artist
terra leigh
Terra Leigh is a poet and editor from Chesapeake, Virginia. She studied at Virginia Tech, and gained a Bachelor’s of Arts in English- Creative Writing, and continued her education at Drew University where she earned her Master’s of Fine Arts in Poetry. Terra has received multiple awards starting in 2013, winning the Steger Poetry Prize from VT, and most recently was the runner up to the Poetry Society of Virginia’s 2024 Spoken Word & Video Award. Terra Leigh’s poetry collection includes Ignite (2018), So Far Away (2019), and The Girl on the Swings: Transparency (2022). Aside from writing, she also enjoys singing, saber fencing, and studying Japanese.
June Featured Artist
sarah mendez
Sarah Mendez was born and raised in the 757, not straying too far from the area to earn her undergraduate and graduate degrees in mathematics before returning to the area to settle down with her husband. She teaches high school math and physics at Norfolk Collegiate School, and spends her free time watching horror movies and playing Minecraft. Sarah has a passion for all things macabre, and has recently become a “baby bat” as she delves into the world of gothic and punk music. In college, she dipped her toes into the world of poetry, and in the years since college, she’s found her own unique voice and is currently working on a second collection of poetry.
may Featured Artist
maddie garcia
Born in the United States, then growing up in the Dominican Republic since 1 year old, Maddie G had a unique experience when she moved back to the states with her parents at the age of 13. English is not her native language, which evoked struggle when integrating back to America. As a courageous young girl, Maddie was able cease the opportunity to learn a new language and become an empowered woman through her creative writing and expressive poetry skills. Today, Maddie G has been published in a number of anthologies, and in 2022, she became a published author with her book, “A Vision of She” where she describes the unconditional love of motherhood. Not only is she a successful page writer, she is also a nationally ranked slam poet with the Verb Benders Slam Team in Norfolk, VA, who are currently number 3 in the nation! When Maddie is not sharing her artistic abilities in the community, she is tending to her family as a wife, mother, and grandmother. Maddie states, “I believe that by sharing our stories, we empower one another and give new meaning to the fight of those who came before us, but most importantly, we pave the way for generations to follow.”
April Featured Artist
Destiny Nicholson
Born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Destiny aka “Dezz” is a Navy veteran, aunt, and multi-talented artist that now resides in the Hampton Roads area. She is the author of two published books, a singer and song writer of released EP music, and a magnetic host to diverse events within the art community. Dezz believes that if you nurture the light inside of you, it will touch everyone it is meant to.
March featured artist
Raised in Baltimore initially, Crickyt has considered Hampton Roads her home since 1994. She creatively goes by C.J. Expression, where she uses her voice in poetry and spoken word to express wisdom and highlight social issues. A published writer in many anthologies, C.J is also the author of Dear Broken Woman: Trials to Triumph, which entails the obstacles, strength, and resiliency it takes to be a woman. As a survivor of domestic abuse, C.J uses her writing and poetry to help others heal. For 8 years, she put her heart into the G.R.O.W foundation as a volunteer, which is an organization that serves other survivors in the Hampton Roads. Today, she continues to be an advocate against domestic violence and a support system for the community. Knowing the importance of using one's voice, C.J. encourages people to use their voices, search for their own happiness, and to discover growth.
Crickyt J. expression
February Featured Artist
Faith Griffin
Originally from New Hampshire, Faith Griffin has now lived in Hampton Roads for 18 years with her family. One of Faith’s roles is as a parent to her son, daughter, nieces, and nephew. They are an animal loving home with one rabbit, four cats, and a hamster. Faith is also the published author of the heart-felt, story-telling poetry book, Lacrimosa: A Tragic Love Story in III Acts. She describes her passion for books and intention for Lacrimosa by stating, “I’ve always loved reading and writing, and have spent countless afternoons tucked away in libraries ever since I was very young. I’ve always felt that libraries were a perfect place to escape- warm, inviting, and they always have something that speaks to me. A dream of mine is for a book that I write be tucked away in a library that someone will find, and feel that it speaks to them.”
January Featured Artist
Patricia Davis
A Savannah, GA native, Army veteran, spoken word artist, and Maternal Mental Health advocate, Patricia has found solace in writing through her healing. She is currently pursuing her master’s in clinical mental health counseling. She found “Mom Mends,” an organization that creates space for Mothers of all walks of life to come together for healing and growth through their Motherhood journeys. They offer monthly workshops in the Hampton Roads Community to support this mission. This admirable artist is also the published author of Mending Me, a poetry collection created through her life experiences as a mother of two and becoming a woman of God. Her intention with this book is to guide others on their healing journey, and to know that the path is not scripted. Patricia states, “Mending Me is for you to dive into your barriers and conquer them honestly and consistently with God or your divine ruling”.
